Shoe insert and shoe

ABSTRACT

A shoe insert for a shoe, and a shoe with a shoe bed, constructed to receive a foot, include a substantially rigid stiffening region which includes at least a region of the shoe insert (or foot bed) extending substantially diagonally from a talus and a navicular bone to at least one of metatarsal heads IV and V of the received foot, wherein the stiffening region is arched toward a sole of the foot in a region of the talus and the navicular bone of the received foot, and a raised region which is raised with respect to a contact surface of a metatarsophalangeal joint of the received foot and which extends at least in a region from a metatarsal head III to the metatarsal head V of the received foot.

The invention relates to a shoe insert and a shoe, and in particular ashoe insert and a shoe which stabilize the foot during the pedalingmotion and thereby increase the pedaling power.

The foot is the main contact point with a bicycle during cycling.Physical power is converted into forward motion at the interfacefoot-cycling shoe-cleat-pedals. During the transfer of power, torsionsare generated in all areas of the foot (upper, lower ankle, metatarsaland forefoot), whereby force is deflected into the horizontal plane, sothat the force is the no longer available for the forward motion via thepedals. Power is hence lost.

Specifically, the force produced by the muscles (hip flexors/extensors,hamstring/leg extension, calf muscles) and affecting propulsion istransferred via the tibia and fibula bones to the ankle bone (talus).This is the point where the first major power loss occurs, because theankle bone buckles inward (pronation) (see FIG. 1 b). The weaker themuscles and ligaments, the greater is the loss of force due to friction.Torsions occur even under optimal conditions, since pronation is anatural damping mechanism. However, this damping mechanism is notnecessary when cycling, because the impact load from the body weight isabsent, making damping unnecessary.

The force is transferred to the metatarsophalangeal joint via themetatarsal bones of the foot. The problem here occurs that largeconcentrated (point) forces are produced, because four other toe jointsexist in addition to the metatarsophalangeal joint, which are loadedsignificantly less.

The prior art discloses various shoe inserts, in particular orthopedicshoe inserts or insoles. For example, the international patentapplication WO 02/49472 A1 discloses a shoe sole with an arch plate,wherein the arch plate can be arched in the region of the metatarsalbone between the heel region and the bunion.

The international patent application WO 2007/057626 A1 describes aninherent power plate which supports the foot through an arch in theregion of talus and navicular bone.

Another shoe insert for athletic shoes is described in the U.S. Pat. No.5,647,147 A. It is proposed to raise the shoe insert in the heel and toeregion in relation to the metatarsal bone.

The German utility model DE 20 2006 002 991 U1 describes an orthopedicshoe insert designed particularly for severely arched feet. Moreparticularly, this shoe insert is characterized in that it is typicallyconstructed as a short insert or a half insert, which predominantly doesnot include the forefoot.

Another shoe insert is described in the published patent application DE10 2006 044 026 A1. This shoe insole is characterized in that it isequipped with pads having an arrangement that affects the foot musclesof a subject, such that a foot position that is different from thenormal foot position is corrected by the body's own sensory motor systemwhile walking.

The publication DE 111 74 44 A relates to a shoe with an orthopedicinsert. The orthopedic insert is combined with an x-shaped elasticspring.

In particular, the known solutions have a disadvantage in that powercontinues to be lost between the talus and toe joints while cycling.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a shoeinsert and a shoe, which obviate the disadvantages of the prior art andwhich more particularly improve force transmission from the foot to thepedal axis.

This object is attained with the invention by the features of claims 1and 8. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are recited in thedependent claims.

According to a particular advantage of the shoe insert of the presentinvention, the force is distributed uniformly onto the metatarsus, suchthat the pedal axle is at least substantially uniformly loaded over theentire width of the forefoot. This is achieved in that the shoe inserthas a stiffening area which extends, when the foot is placed,substantially diagonally from the talus and the navicular bone to thelateral edge of the forefoot, especially the area of the metatarsalheads IV and/or V. According to a preferred embodiment of the inventiveshoe insert, the stiffening region is formed as a contiguous region. Thestiffening region serves as strong metatarsal support. The stiffeningregion can be rigid or substantially rigid, but is advantageously notconstructed to be completely rigid, but to have a small flexibility.According to the invention, the stiffening region has in the region oftalus and navicular bone a curvature facing the sole of the foot whenthe foot is placed. In addition, according to the invention, the shoeinsert causes an inclined position of the foot in the region of themetatarsal heads such that the lateral edge of the forefoot, inparticular the metatarsal heads IV and/or V, are raised relative to themedial border of the forefoot, especially relative to themetatarsophalangeal joint. According to the invention, the shoe inserthas a raised region which rises up from the metatarsal head III to themetatarsal head V when the foot is placed. Preferably, the increase fromthe medial edge to the lateral edge of the forefoot is at leastsubstantially linear. However, the shoe insert may also be arched in theregion of the metatarsal heads against the foot sole or against the shoesole, as long as only the laterally located metatarsal heads, i.e.,particularly the metatarsal heads IV and/or V, are raised relative tothe medially located metatarsal heads, especially relative to themetatarsophalangeal joint. The lateral edge of the forefoot may, forexample, be raised by reinforcing the shoe insert in this region in formof a wedge.

Preferably, the shoe insert is designed so that the rising region islocated under the metatarsal heads when the foot is placed. Particularlypreferred is an embodiment where the rising portion extends in thecenter between the metatarsal head I and the metatarsal head V. This isthe region underneath which ideally the pedal axis extends. In apreferred embodiment of the shoe insert, the rising portion isconstructed on top of the line of the pedal axle. In a preferredembodiment (depending on shoe size), the rising portion has along thepedal axle a width of about 10 mm. In a preferred embodiment, themetatarsal heads V is located about 1.5 to 4 mm, preferably about 2 to3.5 mm, higher than the metatarsal head I. Preferably, the shoe insertthus rises in the region of the metatarsal head laterally byapproximately 1.5 to 4 mm, preferably by about 2 to 3.5 mm. The risingportion is preferably anteriorly and posteriorly flat. Thesemeasurements apply to a situation where a certain pressure, for examplegenerated by a placed foot, is exerted on the insole, and soft materialssuch as fabric, foam and the like are depressed.

According to another preferred embodiment, a flat preferablykidney-shaped pad is disposed on the shoe insert under the metatarsalheads II to IV. Furthermore, the shape of the shoe insert is matchedexactly to the size of the shoe insole.

According to another preferred embodiment, the shoe insert isconstructed as an insole.

The invention further relates to a shoe with an integrated shoe insertconstructed according to the invention. The foot bed of the shoe is thusformed, for example, in the same manner as the inventive shoe insert,i.e., the foot bed of the shoe has a stiffening region which includes atleast a portion of the foot bed and which, when the foot is placed,extends substantially diagonally from the talus and the navicular boneto the metatarsal heads IV and/or V, wherein the stiffening region isarched against the sole of the foot in the region of talus and navicularbone, when the foot is placed, and the foot bed has a raised regionwhich rises at least in the region from the metatarsal head III to themetatarsal head V, when the foot is placed.

The inventive shoe insert provides a strong, yet flexible metatarsalsupport, which has the highest point in the region of the talus and thenavicular bone. This prevents medial twisting of the foot. The entiremetatarsal region is stabilized and a typical pathological load duringcycling, namely the distribution of the main pressure from the forcesacting on the metatarsophalangeal joint, is reduced. With the inventiveshoe insert, the force is evenly distributed across all regions of themetatarsus. The foot is thus raised along the pedal axle (the idealposition of the pedal and cleat position under the foot is theintersection of a connecting line between metatarsal heads I and Vexactly in the middle of the forefoot). This prevents a lateralexcursion of the foot, for example, when riding out of the saddle.

The shoe insert according to the invention is specifically designed forcycling and therefore differs fundamentally from inserts designed forrunning. For clarity, the different movement patterns and the resultingrequirements for both situations will be briefly explained:

The movement pattern during walking or running is divided into threephases:

Landing phase: During the landing phase, the heel bone sets down in aslight supination position of the foot on the outer edge.

Main support phase: The entire foot is in contact with the ground. Themain support phase is associated with a physiological pronationmovement.

Push-off phase: This develops maximum pressure under the metatarsalheads II and III. Rolling off occurs via the metatarsophalangeal joint.The push-off phase is associated with torsion within the tarsus,forefoot pronation and rear foot supination.

The movement pattern during the pedaling cycle can also be divided intothree phases:

Thrust phase (top/bottom dead center): The foot is broughtforward/backward to the starting position for an effective propulsionposition. This phase is unimportant for propulsion.

Pressure phase: The pressure phase is the most important phase of theforce transmission, having a share of about 70% of the propulsion.Maximum force is attained at about 90° to 130° of the pedal position.

Pull phase: The pull phase has a share of about 70% of the propulsion.In the pull phase, the pressure phase of the other leg is supported.

The focus of force transmission during cycling is maximum fixation ofthe foot during pedaling. In competitive cycling, the soles of cyclingshoes are therefore, if possible, completely torsion-stiff. Carbon isstandard as a stiffening material for the cycling shoe cleat. Unlike thewalking/running shoe, the sole must not be flexible, since the footshould be fixed in position at the maximum—from below by way of thestiffened sole of the cycling shoe for the pressure phase and from aboveby way of a tight fit (buckles, ratchets . . . ) for the pull phase inthe pedaling cycle. The goal is the complete “stiffening” of the foot bythe cycling shoe so as to prevent loss of power due to shear forces.Another particular feature is the connection of the foot/shoe with thebicycle by way of toe clips which are connected with the shoe over 2-3cm in the forefoot. The cycling shoe should actually be regarded more asan orthotic that fixes the foot (from the lower ankle on).

According to the invention, the lateral edge of the forefoot is raisedrelative to the medial edge. Advantageously, the foot may be raisedcontinuously in the region of the metatarsal heads, preferablysubstantially linear, from the metatarsal head I to the metatarsal headV. Raising the forefoot may also be limited to the region of themetatarsal heads III to V.

The cycling insert has the function of additionally stabilizing the footin the shoe and allowing only the least possible movement.

The movement of the body and the function of the shoe are different whenwalking/running and when cycling, so that the functionality of theinserts also differs.

This leads to important properties of the inventive shoe insert. Acycling shoe insert is formed so that the foot has as much contact aspossible with the insert, i.e., substantially over the entire sole ofthe foot. A cycling shoe insert is always formed as a long sole in orderto stabilize the foot as much as possible. To prevent torsion of thefoot when most optimally transmitting power, the cycling shoe insert hasa strong support at the elevation for the navicular bone and a slightelevation at the outer edge of the foot.

Optimal power transfer to the pedal is achieved by

-   -   preventing bending of the foot by a stable elevation in the        region of the talus and the navicular bone,    -   distributing force transmission to the entire forefoot through a        stable inclination of the forefoot (in the region of the        metatarsal heads) by raising the lateral region relative to the        medial region of the forefoot, and preventing the forefoot from        breaking out laterally.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described in moredetail with reference to the figures of the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 a, 1 b illustrate the effect of the shoe insert for preventingmedial rotation of the foot;

FIG. 2 illustrates the exemplary arrangement of a wedge for implementingthe rising region;

FIG. 3 illustrates the course of the pedal axle underneath the foot;

FIG. 4 illustrates the inclination of the metatarsal heads;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates the pedaling cycle; and

FIG. 6 schematic illustrates an exemplary cycling insert.

An example embodiment of the invention will now be described in moredetail with reference to a cycling insert 100. However, the invention isnot limited to cycling inserts 100, but includes, for example, alsoinsoles or shoes with a built-in shoe insert, as long as these have onlythe features of the independent claims.

Improvement in the power transmission from the foot to the pedal axle110 is attained with the cycling insert 100. In particular, shear forces(rear foot-forefoot) are reduced by the stiffening region 120 of thecycling insert 100. Force transmission during the pedaling cycle thenbecomes more efficient, thereby minimizing improper loading as well asoverloading of the musculoskeletal system.

The stiffening portion 120 operates as a strong, yet flexible metatarsalsupport, which has the highest and strongest point 130 in the region ofthe talus and the navicular bone, thus preventing medial inward rotationof the foot (see FIGS. 1 a and 1 b). In an exemplary embodiment, thelateral edge of the forefoot (metatarsal heads III, IV, V) is raised bya wedge 140. This counteracts the typical improper loading duringpedaling, namely distribution of the major pressure from the forcesacting on the metatarsophalangeal joint caused by bending of the ankleand inward rotation of the entire leg axis. The power is distributedmore uniformly across the metatarsal heads by raising the metatarsalheads (V, IV, III) (see FIG. 4). The pedal axle 110 extends in thecenter between the metatarsal head I and the metatarsal head V (see FIG.3).

Raising the lateral edge of the wedge 140 serves as a boundary andprevents the foot from breaking out laterally, for example, when cyclingout of the saddle (cycling in a standing position) and/or during thepull phase of pedaling cycle (see FIG. 5).

The embodiment of the invention is not limited to the aforementionedpreferred exemplary embodiments. Instead, a number of variants may beconsidered that make use of the inventive arrangement and the inventivemethod even with fundamentally different embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   100 Cycling insert-   110 Pedal axle-   120 Stiffening region-   130 Highest and strongest point-   140 Wedge

1-9. (canceled)
 10. A shoe insert for a shoe constructed to receive afoot, the shoe insert comprising: a substantially rigid stiffeningregion which includes at least a region of the shoe insert extendingsubstantially diagonally from a talus and a navicular bone to at leastone of metatarsal heads IV and V of the received foot, wherein thestiffening region is arched toward a sole of the foot in a region of thetalus and the navicular bone of the received foot, and a raised regionwhich is raised with respect to a contact surface of ametatarsophalangeal joint of the received foot and which extends atleast in a region from a metatarsal head III to the metatarsal head V ofthe received foot.
 11. The shoe insert of claim 10, wherein the raisedregion is formed in regions of metatarsal heads of the received foot.12. The shoe insert of claim 10, wherein the raised region is formed atleast in a region of a connecting line connecting metatarsal heads I andV of the received foot.
 13. The shoe insert of claim 12, wherein theraised region extends approximately 5 mm on both sides of the connectingline.
 14. The shoe insert of claim 10, wherein a pronation wedge causesthe raised region to be raised in the region from a metatarsal head IIIto the metatarsal head V of the received foot.
 15. The shoe insert ofclaim 10, wherein a lateral edge of the shoe insert is raised in aregion of a forefoot with respect to a medial border of the shoe insertby approximately 1.5 to 4 mm.
 16. The shoe insert of claim 10, whereinthe shoe insert is constructed as an insole.
 17. A shoe constructed toreceive a foot, the shoe comprising a foot bed with: a substantiallyrigid stiffening region which includes at least a region of the foot bedextending substantially diagonally from a talus and a navicular bone toat least one of metatarsal heads IV and V of the received foot, whereinthe stiffening region is arched toward a sole of the foot in a region ofthe talus and the navicular bone of the received foot, and a raisedregion which is raised with respect to a contact surface of ametatarsophalangeal joint of the received foot at least in a region froma metatarsal head III to the metatarsal head V of the received foot. 18.The shoe according to claim 17, wherein the shoe comprises a cleatdisposed underneath the raised region.